WorldVeg - WCA

Inauguration of a community garden at Allada (Benin) under the FRESH Project (CGIAR) Date: 27th February 2025 Location: Allada Community Garden On 27th February 2025, the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) inaugurated a community garden in Allada under the FRESH project. This garden aims to serve as a demonstration hub for disseminating innovative agricultural technologies developed by both organizations, with a focus on sustainable and climate-smart practices. The event began at 10:00 AM with a welcome address by Ms Judith Honfoga (WorldVeg) who provided an overview of the site's establishment and the collaborative efforts between WorldVeg and IWMI. She emphasized the garden's role in enhancing agricultural knowledge and supporting local farmers. This was followed by a presentation on the objectives of the FRESH project, particularly Work Package 3, which focuses on promoting safe and sustainable vegetable production through efficient water management, and climate-resilient agricultural practices (Integrated pests and diseases management, sustainable soil health caring, and smart production methods promotion). Mr Magloire Koko (farmers' association leader), shared testimonies about the activities undertaken at the site, highlighting the positive social and economic impacts on local agricultural practices and community engagement. The garden has provided the community with employment and income from crop production. Mr Eric Legba (WorldVeg) presented the key infrastructures and technologies established at the garden, which include a 74-meter-deep borehole, a 7-meter-high tank stand supporting two 5,000-liter tanks, solar panels, a 4kW solar pump, a storeroom, toilets facilities, 12 nursery boxes, nursery shades, an irrigation system, chameleon soil moisture sensors, wetting front detectors, sticky traps, and experimental plots featuring organic mulching technologies. The Lead of the Agricultural Ministry Communal Extension Office of Allada, Mr Léopold Alohoun delivered a message encouraging the community to adopt and sustain the FRESH innovative practices. Participants then took part in a guided field visit led by Mr Marius Edoh and Ms Laurence Dossou (WorldVeg), where they observed the installed technologies and learnt about their applications, on saving irrigation water, use of less chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and growing of healthy seedlings. Representative of departmental direction of agriculture, livestock and fisheries (DDAEP), Mr No?l Ahononga encouraged the farmers to maintain the garden and utilize the technologies to improve vegetables productivity and sustainability. The ceremony concluded with an official handover of the community garden, symbolizing the commitment of WorldVeg, IWMI, and local authorities to advancing agricultural innovation and empowering the Allada community, which is known as cereal production dominated area.

?? World Vegetable Center et l'Ambassade du Japon au Bénin ont signé ce mercredi 5 Mars 2025 un contrat de don de projet d'équipements d'irrigation et de transformation des fruits et légumes dans le Zou et l'Atlantique. D'un co?t global d'environ 85 millions de francs CFA, ce projet vient renforcer les actions du projet #SafeVeg sur le terrain et accélérer la volonté du gouvernement de faire de l'agriculture le principal levier de développement économique, de création de richesse et d'emploi au Bénin. Suivez les temps forts de cette cérémonie ici ????: YouTube : https://lnkd.in/eF-aEx9V Facebook : https://bit.ly/41u8Jza LinkedIn : https://bit.ly/41tYiMc Twitter : https://bit.ly/4brutjI #WorldVegetableCenter #SafeVeg #Cirad ? Safe One 2025

2025 New Year Greetings Ceremony at the World Vegetable Center WCA On Friday, January 17, 2025, the prestigious Palais de la Gratitude in Arconville, Abomey-Calavi, hosted a ceremony filled with warmth and gratitude. The Regional Director of the World Vegetable Center West and Central Africa (WCA), Dr. Malick Ba, gathered his collaborators at various levels to mark the beginning of the new year. The event was opened by Mrs. Roselyne Houeto, Human Resources Manager, who conveyed, on behalf of all the teams, her most heartfelt wishes to the Regional Director of WorldVeg WCA. In a speech filled with gratitude, she also praised the unwavering dedication of every member of the organization, whose hard work led to remarkable achievements over the past year. She concluded by expressing wishes for prosperity, success, and accomplishments in 2025. Dr. Malick Ba then took the floor to express his deep appreciation to the collaborators and partners of WorldVeg WCA, whom he described as essential pillars of collective success. He shared his vision for the year ahead, promising a period rich in innovation and positive transformations, aimed at ensuring the personal and professional fulfillment of every member of the organization. A moment of communion and exchange, the ceremony also provided an opportunity for collaborators to speak. Scientists, administrative staff, drivers, and occasional contractors each took turns introducing themselves and sharing their aspirations for the new year. The event concluded with a symbolic group photo, followed by a warm lunch, sealing the unity and determination of the teams to approach 2025 with ambition and enthusiasm. May this year be marked by greatness and exceptional achievements for the World Vegetable Center WCA.

? Closing 2024 with Gratitude and Hope! ? ? The year 2024 has been an adventure filled with unexpected challenges, but also with achievements that reminded us of the strength of collaboration and resilience. Thanks to the hard work of our teams and the support of our partners, the World Vegetable Center - WCA has planted the seeds of change, learned valuable lessons, and strengthened its commitment to sustainable and inclusive agriculture. ?? ? Every challenge we overcame brought us closer to our mission: improving food security, enhancing livelihoods, and promoting vegetables as pillars of a healthier future in West and Central Africa. In 2024, the World Vegetable Center - WCA worked hand in hand with communities to lay strong foundations for a better future. ? As 2025 approaches, we look forward to the new year with renewed energy and an even more ambitious vision. It will be a year of growth, innovation, and impact, driven by strong partnerships and engaged communities. The World Vegetable Center - WCA is ready to take on new challenges and pursue its mission with passion and determination. ??? ? During this festive season, we want to warmly thank everyone who contributed to our mission this year: our partners, our teams, and most importantly, the communities we work with every day. ? ?? Happy Holidays to All! ?? ? May this end-of-year season be filled with joy, sharing, and serenity. And may 2025 bring prosperity, opportunities, and renewed hope to each of you. ? With all our gratitude, The World Vegetable Center Regional Director and his teams in West and Central African countries.

Capacity Building for Technicians and Extension Agents on Best Practices for Vegetable Crop Production in Benin All technicians and extension agents from southern Benin are participating in a training session that started this morning in Grand Popo. This initiative, led by CIRAD as part of Work Package 3 of the SafeVeg project, aims to equip technicians and extension agents in Benin with agricultural best practices to enhance their overall skills. It is obvious that technicians and extension agents play a key role in disseminating knowledge and supporting farmers in the field. The theoretical and practical training cycle in Grand Popo, which will span four days, has the primary objective of ensuring the more effective dissemination of knowledge and improved techniques to farmers. This will inevitably lead to increased vegetable production that is both healthier and more sustainable, in line with the core mission of the SafeVeg project. More specifically, the training will focus on: Training participants, who are the farmers’ first point of contact, in techniques for setting up and managing vegetable crop nurseries; Strengthening their skills in integrated soil fertility management for vegetable farming; Enhancing their knowledge in pest management for vegetable production; and Raising awareness about agroecology and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. This intensive refresher session for technicians and extension agents in southern Benin, taking place in Grand Popo, will bring a qualitative leap to the vegetable farming system in Benin. The SafeVeg project is funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and it covers Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali.

Some images from the Poster Session during the visit of the Board of Directors of the World Vegetable Center at the WorldVeg - WCA premises. Subscribe to our page so you don’t miss any of our upcoming activities!

The Future of Fruits and Vegetables in Benin's food system: Prospecting for possible scenarios by 2060 This is the title of the Report which has just been officially submitted to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Benin, Mr. Gaston Dossouhoui. The ceremony took place this Tuesday, December 3, 2024 in the Madiba room of the Golden Tulipe Hotel in front of an audience of specialists from the food and nutrition sector. The document submitted to the MAEP by the FRESH Project of the World Vegetable Center and the national Platform of stakeholders in the market gardening sector, diagnoses the current situation in terms of availability and consumption of fruits and vegetables in Benin, carries out scenarios (trends and alternatives) for 2060 before issuing recommendations in terms of public policies to the Government of Benin. The general objective of this study is to develop, in collaboration with the National Platform of actors in the market gardening sector of Benin a common vision of the future role of fruits and vegetables in the food system of Benin. The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries who chaired the ceremony welcomed this great initiative which gives Benin a new compass. Of the three scenarios proposed by the Report, he chose for Benin scenario A, the most demanding but which will ultimately create the conditions for a high consumption of nutritious and healthy fruits and vegetables for the population of Benin. In the name of the sacrosanct principle "impossible is not Beninese" he urged all parties involved in the realization of this dream to redouble their efforts so that well before 2060, Benin meets the restrictive criteria of scenario A. W/CGIAR

Visit of the World Vegetable Center Board of Directors to the Genetics, Biotechnology, and Seed Science Unit at the University of Abomey-Calavi.

The board members of the World Vegetable Center visited Jinukun Store, a space that highlights local products and sustainable agriculture initiatives. This visit reflects WorldVeg’s commitment to supporting local stakeholders and promoting sustainable solutions for the future of our food systems. ?? Watch a glimpse of this inspiring encounter in the video!?

?? The 66th Board of Directors of the World Vegetable Center Explores market garden Innovations in Benin ?? As part of its meeting held in Cotonou, Benin, to determine the future directions of horticulture in Africa, the Board of Directors of the World Vegetable Center visited two key structures ?? Visit to Jinukun Vegetable Business Network : An Innovative Agricultural Enterprise The first visit took the Board members to Jinukun Store, an agricultural enterprise co-founded by Mirlain Medesse Bossou. During his presentation, he highlighted the company’s diverse activities, including the production of fresh vegetable products through numerous fields located in southern Benin, as well as their marketing via traditional and digital channels. Today, the company boasts an extensive network of clients and collaborates closely with numerous local producers, including farmers, market gardeners, and livestock breeders. Ambitiously, Jinukun plans to expand its activities to northern Benin and internationally while strengthening its digital presence, which is seen as a key driver for future growth. ?? Visit to GBIOS Lab : At the Heart of Innovation in Genetics and Horticulture development. Next, the Board members visited Gbios Genetics, Biotechnology & Seed Science Unit, University of Abomey-Calavi, a laboratory specializing in genetics, horticulture, and seed sciences, located within the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences (FSA) at the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC). Led by Professor Enoch Achigan-Dako, Director of the Center, the visit allowed participants to explore the working conditions of student-researchers and the significant progress made in developing improved seeds and crops tailored to local needs. GBIOS, with its mission to generate viable and accessible innovations, directly contributes to improving agricultural systems. Some of the laboratory’s innovations have already led to the creation of startups whose mission is to add value to these products and make them available to end consumers. These visits offered the Board of Directors a profound insight into the horticulture realities of Benin. They also highlighted the remarkable progress achieved by local actors, signaling a promising future for agriculture and horticulture in Africa.